Business of Home Podcast

Hector and Emma Finch are the married couple behind the British lighting company Hector Finch. Started as an antiques business, the two have stayed true to their roots, producing a line of lighting inspired by classic early 20th century pieces. Today, the company's products are sold all over the world, including top showrooms in the U.S. In this episode of the podcast, host Dennis Scully speaks with the Finches about not getting hung up on knockoffs, the challenge of connecting with young designers, and why, no matter what the economic conditions, they’re focusing on slow-and-steady growth. This episode is sponsored by LoloiLINKSHector FinchDennis ScullyBusiness of Home

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus and host Dennis Scully discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including a massive retail bankruptcy, the health of the high-end real estate market and the vanishing American porch. Later, Keith Granet of Studio Designer and Sarah Daniele of MyDoma join the show to discuss the deal that brought their two companies together.  This episode is sponsored by Isla PorterLINKSStudio DesignerMyDomaBusiness of Home

Laura Sotelo, Kendall Knox, Ben Knox are the founders of the buzzy brand Olive Ateliers. In 2021, as a side hustle, the three friends started sourcing vintage pieces from all over the world and curating them into biweekly “drops” in Los Angeles. Almost immediately, there were lines around the block, their site took off, and Olive Ateliers developed a devoted fan base including designers and celebrities alike. On this episode of the podcast the three speak with host Dennis Scully why they wanted to start their business quickly, why the most effective sales tool is storytelling, and why they’ve come to believe in “strong opinions, weakly held”This episode is sponsored by LoloiLINKSOlive AteliersDennis ScullyBusiness of Home

BOH executive editor Fred Nicolaus and host Dennis Scully discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including a cyberattack on Bassett, a design software acquisition, and the fight over megamansions. Later, the founders of bathroom renovation startup The Unoriginal Bathroom Co. join the show to discuss their new venture.  This episode is sponsored by Isla PorterLINKSThe Unoriginal Bathroom Co.Business of Home

Jomo Tariku’s life and career have followed a winding path, from his childhood in Ethiopia to a design degree in Kansas and a stint in data visualization at the World Bank. Today, he’s internationally recognized as a furniture designer, with pieces in the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Tariku is also the creator of an impactful 2020 study that demonstrated the startling lack of Black furniture designers working with major manufacturers. In this episode of the podcast, Tariku speaks with host Dennis Scully about why data is more powerful than anecdotal evidence, why he’s getting into wallpaper and other categories, and what it will take to truly make design a global language.This episode is sponsored by Loloi and Isla PorterLINKSJomo FurnitureJomo TarikuDennis ScullyBusiness of Home

BOH editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen and host Dennis Scully discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including Etsy’s return to its artisan roots, surging home insurance premiums and key business lessons from the 50 States Project. Later, designer Susan Wintersteen joins the show to talk about founding Savvy Giving by Design. This episode is sponsored by Isla Porter. LINKSSavvy Giving by Design Business of Home

When Alex Shuford-CEO of Rock House Farm, the family of brands that includes Century, Hickory Chair, and Highland House-was on the podcast last year, he was optimistic about 2024. Halfway through the year, his optimism remains intact, and once the smoke clears from the elections in the fall, he thinks the combination of pent-up demand and a generational wealth shift will lead to significant opportunity for the industry next year and beyond.On this episode of the show, Shuford engages in a wide-ranging conversation about where the home industry might be heading next. He speaks with host Dennis Scully about the changing role of independent furniture stores, the state of competitors like RH and Arhaus, and why he’ll be testing out a multi-brand showroom in Vegas for the very first time.This episode is sponsored by LoloiLINKSRock House Farm Dennis ScullyBusiness of Home

BOH editor in chief Kaitlin Petersen and host Dennis Scully discuss the biggest news in the design industry, including he latest in the Kim Kardashian copycat lawsuit, a look at the D&D building’s new financial troubles, and a mid-year report card for home retailers. Later, Apartment Therapy founder Maxwell Ryan joins the show to talk about winning the new search game. This episode is sponsored by Isla Porter.LINKSApartment TherapyBusiness of Home

This spring, Thomas Lavin and Jobi Blachy of Quintus decided to experiment with taking their showrooms on the road, staging pop-up events in Southern California for local designers. The events were a success, and now they’re planning more—as well as a host of other concepts for connecting with the next generation of the trade.On this episode of the podcast, they speak with host Dennis Scully about why designers will come out for an event but not a showroom appointment; what the mansion tax and the writer’s strike meant for the LA design scene; and what the Japanese concept of Kaizen has to do with running a showroom. This episode is sponsored by LoloiLINKSThomas LavinQuintusDennis ScullyBusiness of Home

Founded in 1889, Bernhardt one of the oldest family-owned furniture companies in America (if not the oldest). However, under CEO Alex Bernhardt Jr.’s leadership, the company hasn’t leaned on its heritage—instead, it’s focused on aesthetics and staying ahead of the design curve. On this episode of the podcast, Bernhardt speaks about why he’s not stressed by dupes, why he believes the pandemic ate through eight or nine years of business, and why furniture is above all a fashion industry.This episode is sponsored by LoloiLINKSBernhardtDennis ScullyBusiness of Home